Rapper Barak Jacuzzi:US was good but Kenya is where my heart is

Kenyan-American rapper Barak Jacuzzi recently moved to Nairobi from Columbia, South Carolina in the US. He tells Vivianne Wandera about setting up shop in Kenya and raising the bar in the music industry

What would you say you do for a living?

I’m an entertainer.

What prompted your move from the US to Kenya?

Growing up in the States, I always knew Africa was and is the future and I wanted to be part of the growth and expansion of Kenya’s entertainment industry. So I decided to take my talents back to my city soon as I was ready.  

When was your big break in the Kenyan entertainment scene?

I’m not sure, people may say when I almost won “Nokia Don’t Break The Beat” in 2012 or maybe say it was when “Tergat Gang” dropped earlier this year.  I honestly wouldn’t know because I don’t think I have really had my “big break” yet.  I got so much more to accomplish. 

You were Octopizzo’s hype man for a while. How would you describe the experience?

Indeed I was. The experience of being Octopizzo’s hype man set me up for the rest of my career. He was the first person to put me on a stage full of hundreds or thousands and really get what it feels like to be up there. I learned a lot about organising a set list, performing without playback, musical consistency and so much more you could say overall  it was a crash course to Rap 101. I mean, I was always an incredible performer but my years as his hype man gave me the hands-on experience to be even better. 

Many local artistes always have a dream to make it in the US but you left a place where you could have been bigger and moved back home. Why?

America is obviously the Mecca of music but it’s not easy out there. I was doing well musically, but I wanted more and I knew I could gain the experience, skill and knowledge of music all right here at home. My plan was to come build my career and in a few years I’ll go back to America. 

 Was it as easy as it looks?

Nothing is as easy as it looks. I’ve been back for two years and I’m just getting comfortable in my lifestyle. I spent my entire first year just grinding, re-connecting my networks, setting up my team and learning from trial and error. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it. 

 How do you believe your career has grown over the years?

The growth in my career over the years has been slow and steady. I believe every year I get closer and closer to my end goal. This year alone, I released my first, second and come December, a third musical project. I’ve created the biggest rap battle league in Nairobi called “Bar4Bar”, I host a TV show called “The Hump Show” and this all happened in a year. I just want to keep pushing myself and raising the bar on my expectations. 

What was the lowest point you reached after moving here that made you feel like you made a mistake?

When I first moved back I was being housed by a family member. So there is this time, I brought a girl over a weekend. My host wasn’t happy and so I was kicked out and just like that I was homeless. I almost went back to the US.

What inspires you on a daily basis?

I always want to make more and do more than what I previously achieved. Everyday when I go somewhere and people are hyping me up with compliments, it inspires me to go back to that studio and make more. I just love progressing, big or small steps, I just love taking steps forward.

 Are you dating?

Yeah. I’m seeing someone.

 What’s the craziest rumuor you’ve ever heard about yourself?

That my accent is fake.

What’s your take on the ‘slay queens’ era. Would you marry one of them?

That’s that new series, right?  Eh... maybe. 

Do you think Kenyan women are date-able, can they cook?

Kenyan women are very date-able of course! Unfortunately, I can’t say I’ve had too many Kenyan women cook for me though. So it may be true or maybe it’s just my own experience or lack there of. 

What legacy do you want to leave in the industry?

MOJUICE is the legacy. I want people to look back at my career and just be like ‘he worked hard’.